Stihl MS261c Easy start swap to normal housing

[Fatboy2017]

I have a 2010 MS261c non Motronic, non decompressor model, fitted with an easy start system which contrary to a lot of views I'm ok with as I have a few Dolmar / Makita saws fitted with easy start system so used to them. However I bought this saw recently from a tool dealer who used it himself for a while. When I went to look at the saw he drop started it a few times which is the best way to damage them! Anyway I went through the saw to repair / service anything required and when I took the starter housing off the pull start bits fell out! The very end of the shaft which the easy tart bits are fitted has a circlip and this end piece of the shaft has broken off.  Question is, what is involved in replacing the easy start housing with a standard start housing? Is  it just  housing swap? is the flywheel the same?. A replacement easy start housing is a bit pricey, second-hand ones are not that common.  

[pleasant]

The flywheels are different between the standard recoil and the c-be 'soft starter' which like you say, should never be dropped started due to the twin recoil spring system.

 

Probably no help , but the part number for the standard recoil starter flywheel is 1141 400 1200, and the complete standard recoil starter to fit it, is part number 1141 080 2104. Ironically you CAN buy the outer recoil housing without the guts of it, only for the standard recoil system, but NOT for the CB-E soft start (twin spring recoil)

 

Part number for the soft starter flywheel is 1141 400 1202, and part number for the complete soft starter recoil assembly ready to bolt straight on is part number 1141 080 2103, with a rrp of of just the starter alone is (wait for it.....) £144.00 inc vat!!

Edited 17 hours ago by pleasant

[Dan Maynard]

Seems like there would have been so many scrapped 261 for crankshaft around a few years ago, maybe there's still one under a bench somewhere you could swap all the bits? My 261 still running so you can't have my starter yet.

[pleasant]

40 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

Seems like there would have been so many scrapped 261 for crankshaft around a few years ago, maybe there's still one under a bench somewhere you could swap all the bits? My 261 still running so you can't have my starter yet.

Dan. I agree, but the C-BE models were pretty rare. Let's be honest it's a pro saw. So none I know needs a 'comfort' model saw. Very popular option for the home owner weekend warrior type saws, but pretty rare option on a pro saw., and even rarer for a homeowner to buy a 261..there's a few, but few and far between.

[kram]

Do you have a photo of the broken part?

[Fatboy2017]

Thanks for the relies. I agree on all the info, I picked the saw up with a family members elderly father in law in mind who wanted a 50cc or slightly larger, either Husky or Stihl , got a MS260 as well so he could have a choice, both are in pretty ok condition for the years and just required the usual suspects, fuel lines, filters, clutch bearing, and mounts on the 260 and fuel line ( filter line lying in the bottom of the tank!) of course carb clean as screen full of crap, clutch bearing and clutch retainers and the wing nut as fitted with the stupid quick tensioner also on this MS261c plus this easy start issue I found. I will photo it and also look at seeing if I can look to make a good repair on it. This saw also has a 20" Stihl 0.325 bar on it! in as new condition. I got a part number for the easy start housing only as 1141 080 1808, but haven't checked if it's available, price listed £82

[Fatboy2017]

Photos below! It looks possible to maybe weld a 'blob' on the top then grind a groove back in with a Dremel

for the circlip. The post does not show as a separate part although it has a T27 hole in the top! Just priced it up new £74 with the VAT and shipping, Unless somebody has a complete flywheel and cover assembly then it looks like a new one! I see lots of Chinese starter housings for sale but reluctant to take a risk on those!  but £15 complete!! The washer is on after clip to keep it all in position, not as it should be under clip!

 

[Dan Maynard]

15 hours ago, pleasant said:

Dan. I agree, but the C-BE models were pretty rare. Let's be honest it's a pro saw. So none I know needs a 'comfort' model saw. Very popular option for the home owner weekend warrior type saws, but pretty rare option on a pro saw., and even rarer for a homeowner to buy a 261..there's a few, but few and far between.

I was thinking he could swap flywheel, starter, cover, the whole shooting match and convert back to normal C type of saw.

[pleasant]

18 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

I was thinking he could swap flywheel, starter, cover, the whole shooting match and convert back to normal C type of saw.

Yes....would need to change complete recoil assembly and flywheel as a matched set. That soft starter is shite anyway.